CN114641212A

CN114641212A - Aerosol generating device with low power mode

Info

Publication number: CN114641212A
Application number: CN202080075866.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: G.蒙特戈梅里; S.戴
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2019-10-30
Filing date: 2020-10-29
Publication date: 2022-06-17
Also published as: EP4051029A1; WO2021084035A1; EP4051037A1; JP2022553894A; JP2022553900A; US20220370735A1; KR20220093124A; CN114667074A; WO2021084034A1

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device is provided which is arranged to receive a capsule. An aerosol-generating device sensor arranged to detect a characteristic of a capsule received in the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device further comprises a controller configured to detect (702), by the sensor, that a capsule received in the aerosol-generating device is a starting capsule, and to initiate (704) a low-power state of the aerosol-generating device in response to detecting that the starting capsule has been received in the aerosol-generating device.

Description

Aerosol generating device with low power mode

Technical Field

The present invention relates to aerosol generating devices, and more particularly to low power modes for aerosol generating devices.

Background

Aerosol generating devices, such as e-cigarettes and other aerosol inhalers or vaporization devices, are becoming increasingly popular consumer products.

Heating devices for vaporization or aerosolization are known in the art. Such devices typically include a heater arranged to heat the vaporizable product. In operation, the vaporizable product is heated with a heater to vaporize the components of the product for inhalation by the consumer. In some examples, the product may include tobacco; the tobacco may be loose, contained within a capsule, or similar to a conventional cigarette, in other examples the product may be a liquid or liquid contents in a capsule.

There is a need to improve battery savings in aerosol generating devices. It is therefore an object of the present invention to address such challenges.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, there is provided an aerosol-generating device arranged to receive a capsule, the aerosol-generating device comprising:

a sensor arranged to detect a characteristic of a capsule received in the aerosol-generating device; and

a controller configured to:

detecting by the sensor that the capsule received in the aerosol-generating device is a starting capsule; and initiating a low power state of the aerosol-generating device in response to detecting that a starting capsule has been received in the aerosol-generating device.

Preferably, the aerosol generating device is configured to be set to a low power state for transportation and/or storage.

In this way, the aerosol generating device may be set to a low power state for transportation and storage, allowing the battery of the aerosol generating device to be charged prior to transportation, with battery power being conserved during transportation and storage for the first time later used by the consumer. Furthermore, this can be achieved in standard capsule (or cartridge) based aerosol-generating devices using existing arrangements without the need to physically modify the device when inserting the starting capsule (or cartridge) to replace the standard capsule containing the vaporisable material. This automatic method of initiating a low power state upon detection of an initiating capsule is faster and more efficient than manually programming each aerosol generating device to a low power state for transport and storage.

Preferably, the aerosol generating device is arranged to receive an aerosol generating material.

Preferably, the controller is configured to detect that a capsule received in the aerosol-generating device is a low power state initiating capsule based on the characteristic detected by the sensor.

Preferably, in the low power state, a portion of the operating electronics of the aerosol generating device is disabled or powered down compared to a normal operating state maintained when the aerosol generating device is used periodically by a consumer.

Preferably, the aerosol generating device is arranged to receive a capsule containing a vaporisable substance, such as a fibrous material (e.g. tobacco) or a vaporisable liquid. Preferably, the capsule is received in a capsule body.

Preferably, the starting capsule is a capsule that does not necessarily contain a vaporisable substance, but may instead be used to place the aerosol-generating device in a low power state production and/or packaging environment.

Preferably, the starting capsule has a characteristic that can be sensed by the aerosol generating device to distinguish it from a standard capsule containing a vaporisable substance, such as a vaporisable substance for generation and inhalation of a vapour by a consumer. The characteristic may be a different capsule size or shape, or instructions stored on the NFC chip in the capsule, etc.

Preferably, the aerosol generating device is an electronic cigarette.

Preferably, the controller is a microcontroller unit comprising one or more processors and a memory having instructions stored thereon.

Preferably, the controller is configured to disable a portion of the operating electronics of the aerosol generating device when the low power state is initiated.

In this way, the gradual use of battery power by the operating electronics during transport and storage is minimized.

Preferably, the low power state is a power state in which the operating electronics use less power than in a full operating power state, the full operating power state being a power state for vapour generation and inhalation by the consumer.

Preferably, disabling a portion of the operating electronics comprises powering down the portion of the operating electronics.

Preferably, the controller is configured to disable at least one of the microcontroller unit, the device temperature disconnector sub-circuit, the resistance measurement sub-circuit, the heater driver sub-circuit, the serial flash memory sub-circuit, or the battery gauge sub-circuit when the portion of the operating electronics is disabled.

In this way, certain sub-circuits that do not need to operate during transport and storage are powered down to conserve battery charge.

Preferably, the disabling device temperature interrupter sub-circuit, the resistance measurement sub-circuit, the heater driver sub-circuit, the linear power supply sub-circuit, or the battery fuel gauge sub-circuit comprises: the microcontroller unit, the device temperature disconnector sub-circuit, the resistance measurement sub-circuit, the heater driver sub-circuit, the serial flash memory sub-circuit or the battery fuel gauge sub-circuit are powered down, respectively. Preferably, powering down the microcontroller unit also powers down the voltage supply to the light emitting diodes.

Preferably, the controller is configured to send a trigger to an array of logic gates of the operating electronics such that the array of logic gates disables the supply of power to the portion of the operating electronics to be disabled.

In this manner, power may be selectively disabled from operating particular portions of the electronics.

Preferably, the controller is further configured to maintain the low power state when the starting capsule is removed from the aerosol generating device.

In this way, the starting capsule need not be transported with the aerosol generating device, but may be reused in a factory environment. This also removes any confusion on behalf of the consumer regarding the use of the starting capsules that they would otherwise receive.

Preferably, the aerosol generating device further comprises an indicator and the controller is further configured to indicate by the indicator that the aerosol generating device has entered the low power state.

In this manner, it may be determined that the low power state has been successfully entered, thereby ensuring that the device is in a low power state for shipping and storage.

Preferably, the indicator comprises one or more light emitting diodes.

In this way, a visual indicator is provided that the device has entered a low power state.

Preferably, the controller is configured to disable the one or more light emitting diodes to indicate that the aerosol generating device has entered a low power state.

In this way, disabling or powering down the light emitting diodes (which will have been turned on as a standard when the device is operating) conserves power at the battery as compared to powering up a separate indicator. This further contributes to the saving of electricity for transportation and storage. Furthermore, light emitting diodes are typically used as standards in aerosol generating devices; the standard use of these light emitting diodes to be multi-purpose to indicate entry into a low power state and to communicate information to the consumer eliminates the need to incorporate further indicators into the aerosol generating device, thereby simplifying manufacture.

Preferably, the aerosol generating device is further arranged to detect a wake trigger condition, and wherein the aerosol generating device is configured to exit the low power state in response to the wake trigger condition.

In this manner, when the consumer receives the device, the device may automatically exit the low power state for use by the consumer.

Preferably, the wake-trigger condition comprises attachment of a cable to the aerosol generating device.

In this way, typical actions performed by the consumer (insertion of a charging cable) cause the device to exit the low power state. This provides a simple and easily understandable way for the user to wake up the aerosol generating device from a low power state. This improves usability.

Preferably, the cable is a charging and/or data cable, such as a USB cable. Preferably, attaching the cable to the aerosol-generating device comprises the connector of the cable being received in a corresponding port of the aerosol-generating device. Preferably, the second sensor comprises a detector arranged to detect power input by the cable and/or data input.

Preferably, the aerosol generating device further comprises an openable lid, and the wake-up trigger condition comprises the openable lid moving between a closed position and an open position.

In this way, typical actions performed by the consumer upon receiving a new device (opening the lid) cause the device to exit the low power state.

Preferably, the openable lid is arranged to cover a capsule body of the aerosol-generating device. Preferably, the wake-up trigger condition comprises detecting that the lid has moved from the closed position to the open position.

Preferably, the aerosol generating device further comprises an internal clock and the controller is configured to set the internal clock to a non-operational state when initiating the low power state.

In this way, battery resources are not consumed by running the clock during transport and storage until the first use by the consumer.

Preferably, the controller is further configured to detect and read the characteristic by the sensor through a communication chip in the received capsule.

In this way, the controller may determine that the capsule is a starting capsule rather than a standard capsule containing a vapour-generating material.

Preferably, the controller reads the specific parameter through near field communication.

Preferably, the controller is programmed to identify the characteristic as a specific value of a variable field in information stored at the capsule. For example, the variable field may be a 'date of production' field, in which a specific value of the date of production is set to "00000".

Preferably, the sensor comprises an electrical terminal configured for connection to a corresponding terminal in the initiating capsule, the electrical terminal being configured to read information stored in a memory in the initiating capsule, and wherein the controller is configured to determine that the information corresponds to a characteristic of the initiating capsule.

In another aspect, there is provided a method of saving energy in an aerosol generating device, the method comprising:

detecting that a starting capsule has been received in the aerosol-generating device; and

initiating a low power state of the aerosol-generating device in response to detecting that a starting capsule has been received in the aerosol-generating device.

Preferably, the method comprises: detecting that a low power starting capsule has been received in the aerosol-generating device based on the characteristic detected by the sensor, wherein the sensor is arranged to detect the characteristic of the capsule received in the aerosol-generating device.

In another aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

Preferably, the steps include: detecting that a low power starting capsule has been received in the aerosol-generating device based on the characteristic detected by the sensor, wherein the sensor is arranged to detect the characteristic of the capsule received in the aerosol-generating device.

In another aspect, there is provided an aerosol-generating device comprising:

an internal clock;

a communication interface; and

a controller configured to:

recording one or more events and applying one or more internal timestamps to the one or more events, respectively, the one or more initial timestamps being relative to an initial internal point in time;

receiving, by the communication interface, a current external time point;

updating the internal clock from a current internal time point relative to the initial internal time point to a current external time point; and

the one or more internal timestamps are adjusted to one or more external timestamps, respectively, based on a difference between the current internal point in time and the current external point in time.

In this way, a consumer can use an aerosol generating device with full time stamp functionality in an 'out-of-box' manner without having to configure an internal clock of the aerosol generating device. This simplifies the operational settings of the consumer and improves the user experience.

Preferably, the internal time stamp is based on a scale relative to an initial internal time of the aerosol generating device and the external time stamp is based on a scale relative to an absolute external time.

Preferably, the aerosol generating device is an electronic cigarette.

Preferably, the controller is further configured to start the internal clock from an initial internal point in time in response to determining that the aerosol generating device has exited the low power state.

In this way, a consumer can use a new aerosol generating device upon exiting a low power state configured for transportation and storage without having to synchronize or set up the device. Furthermore, the low power state allows the aerosol generating device to be provided with a higher battery charge level in an 'out of the box' manner, thereby obviating the need for the consumer to charge the battery of the device prior to first use. These advantages combine to improve the overall user experience.

Preferably, the low power state is a power state in which the operating circuitry of the aerosol generating device uses less power than in a fully operational power state, the fully operational power state being a power state for vapour generation and inhalation by a consumer.

Preferably, the trigger comprises detecting that a cable has been attached to the aerosol-generating device or that an openable lid of the aerosol-generating device has moved between a closed position and an open position.

Preferably, the controller is configured to receive the current external point in time from an application executing on an electronic device in communication with the aerosol-generating device over the communication interface.

In this way, the internal clock of the aerosol generating device can be updated simply using the external time, such as the external time of a smartphone in communication with the aerosol generating device. The consumer does not need to manually configure the internal clock, thereby simplifying the setup of the new aerosol generating device and improving the user experience.

Preferably, the controller is configured to update the internal clock to a current external point in time when the aerosol generating device is first connected to the electronic device.

In this way, the set up 'out of box' of a new aerosol generating device is further simplified by setting the internal clock to the current external time when the aerosol generating device is first connected to an electronic device (e.g. a smartphone).

Preferably, the current external point in time comprises a current clock time of the electronic device.

In this way, the clock time of the electronic device may be used as the clock time of the aerosol generating device, thereby providing consistency between devices and improving interoperability.

Preferably, the communication interface is a bluetooth interface, and the controller is configured to receive the current external time point through a bluetooth connection to the electronic device using the bluetooth interface.

In this way, the internal clock of the aerosol-generating device can be updated to the external time in a user-friendly manner.

Preferably, the controller is configured to update the internal clock of the aerosol-generating device by writing the current external point in time to the internal clock.

In this way, all timestamps relating to future events can be recorded based on the external absolute time.

Preferably, wherein the low power state is a power state in which a portion of the operating circuitry used by the aerosol generating device in the fully operational state is disabled.

In this way, power is saved by ensuring that unnecessary circuitry is not active during transport and storage before 'waking' a new aerosol generating device in order to use the new device for the first time.

Preferably, the fully operational state is a state in which the aerosol-generating device is ready for use by a consumer.

Preferably, the internal clock of the aerosol generating device is disabled before exiting the low power state.

In this way, power is saved by not running the internal clock during transport and storage before "waking up" a new aerosol generating device for the consumer to use the new device for the first time.

Preferably, the internal clock is configured to be in a non-operational state when the internal clock is disabled.

Preferably, the low power state is configured for transporting and/or storing the aerosol generating device.

Preferably, the initial internal point in time, the current internal point in time and the one or more internal timestamps are epoch times relative to a reference point internal to the aerosol-generating device, and the current external point in time and the one or more external timestamps are epoch times relative to a reference point external to the aerosol-generating device.

In this way, the time adjustment can be efficiently and accurately calculated.

Preferably, all epoch times are recorded in the same format. In an example, the external reference point is an epoch date, such as the Unix reference epoch date 1970, 1 month 1.

Preferably, the controller is further configured to determine an activation time point, wherein the activation time point is determined as a difference between the current external time point and the current internal time point.

In this way, the 'on' time at which the aerosol generating device recognizes a trigger condition may be determined on an absolute (external) time scale rather than a relative (internal) time scale. This is beneficial for accurately updating the internal timestamp to the external timestamp. This also allows an associated application on the electronic device to determine whether the aerosol-generating device was previously used as an enabling point in time, and if so, the enabling point in time will not correspond to the point in time when the aerosol-generating device was first connected to the electronic device. This improves the quality assurance of the aerosol generating device.

Preferably, the controller is configured to adjust a first one of the one or more internal timestamps to a first one of the one or more external timestamps, respectively, by:

determining a difference between the first internal timestamp and the initial internal point in time; and

the difference between the first internal timestamp and the initial internal point in time is added to the enabling point in time.

In this way, the internal timestamp is converted to an external or absolute time. This provides a clearer and more user-friendly event for the consumer, as the external time is recognizable by the consumer.

Preferably, the adjustment process is repeated for each of the one or more internal timestamps until all internal timestamps have been adjusted to the corresponding external timestamp.

Preferably, the event comprises data relating to inhalation on the aerosol generating device.

Preferably, the data relating to inhalation comprises at least one of a time stamp, a puff or inhalation duration, a vapour temperature, a fluid or nicotine consumption, or a capsule sequence code. In this way, information relating to inhalation that is useful to the consumer can be recorded for review by the consumer.

In another aspect, there is provided a method of adjusting an internal clock of an aerosol generating device, the method comprising:

receiving a current external time point;

Preferably, the method further comprises: an enabling time point is determined, wherein the enabling time point is determined as a difference between a current external time point and a current internal time point.

Preferably, adjusting the first one of the one or more internal timestamps to the first one of the one or more external timestamps, respectively, comprises: determining a difference between the first internal timestamp and the initial internal point in time; and adding the difference between the first internal timestamp and the initial internal point in time to the enabling point in time.

receiving a current external time point;

Preferably, the steps further comprise: an enabling time point is determined, wherein the enabling time point is determined as a difference between a current external time point and a current internal time point.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of components of an aerosol-generating device;

figure 2a is a diagram of an example of an aerosol-generating device with a closed lid;

figure 2b is a diagram of an example of an aerosol-generating device with an open lid;

figures 3a, 3b and 3c are diagrams of another example of an aerosol generating device;

figures 3d and 3e are diagrams of another example of an aerosol generating device;

figure 3f is a diagram of a capsule suitable for use with the aerosol-generating device of figures 3a to 3c and 3d to 3 e;

figure 3g is a diagram of an electrical terminal arrangement of an aerosol generating device;

figure 4 is a block diagram of the operating electronics of the aerosol generating device;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device in communication with an external electronic device;

figure 6 is a diagram of a graphical user interface of an application associated with an aerosol generating device;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of operational steps performed by a controller of the aerosol generating device relating to initiating and exiting a low power mode; and

figure 8 is a flow chart of operational steps performed by a controller of an aerosol-generating device involving a timestamp update process.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of components of an aerosol-generating device (also referred to as a vapour-generating device or an e-cigarette). The aerosol generating device includes a heater (also referred to as a heater coil) 106, operating electronics or control 104, and a battery 102. Battery 102 provides power to heater 106 and control device 104. The operating electronics or control device 104 includes a main control unit (i.e. a controller, which may be a microcontroller unit (MCU))108 and other operating circuitry 110 arranged to control the operation of the aerosol generating device. The controller includes: a memory having stored thereon operating instructions for an aerosol-generating device; and one or more processors arranged to execute instructions and control operation of the aerosol-generating device.

The heater 106 is arranged to aerosolize or vaporize an aerosol generating material (also referred to as a vapor generating material). The vapor-generating material may be a solid, such as tobacco or a material comprising tobacco; this may be in bulk or in a capsule, or in a form similar to a conventional cigarette. The aerosol generating material may also be a liquid, such as a vaporisable liquid stored in a capsule, or any other suitable type of vaporisable material. For the purposes of this description, it will be understood that the terms vapor and aerosol are interchangeable. In some examples, the heater is disposed within the capsule or cigarette-like aerosol generating material and may be connected to the aerosol generating device, rather than a component of the aerosol generating device itself.

Fig. 2a to 2b, 3a to 3c, and 3d to 3e show examples of aerosol generating devices according to the block diagram of fig. 1.

In the example of fig. 2a and 2b, the aerosol generating device 200 comprises a body portion 222 and a lid portion 220. The cover portion 220 includes a cover 224 that is removably coupled to a housing 226 of the body portion 222.

An opening 228 is disposed in the housing 226; the opening 228 is covered by the lid or cover 224 in the closed position (fig. 2A) and uncovered (or uncovered by the cover 224) in the open position (fig. 2B).

In an example, the cover 224 is movably connected to the housing such that it slides between a closed position and an open position. In other words, the cover 224 is a slidable door that is movable between an open position and a closed position of the opening 228.

Although the cover 224 is described in this description as a slidable cover or door, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that any other suitable type of cover may be used, such as a hinged cover, a threadably connected cover, a pop-up connected cover, and the like.

The opening 228 is arranged to receive aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating material 240 may be in a form similar to a conventional cigarette, i.e., tobacco wrapped in paper. A smokable aerosol generating material 240 is received in the opening 228, with a distal end of the smokable aerosol generating material 240 extending outwardly from the aerosol generating device so that a consumer can inhale thereon. In alternative arrangements, the aerosol-generating material may be contained within the capsule (wherein the capsule is receivable in the opening), or as bulk tobacco inserted into the opening.

The heater of the aerosol-generating device 200 may be disposed within the housing in the opening 228 so as to engage the aerosol-generating material when received in the opening 228.

The housing further contains a battery 102 and a control device 104 that includes a controller 108 and other operating circuitry 110. A communication interface is further included within the housing such that the aerosol generating device is communicably coupled to an external electronic device, such as a smartphone. In an example, the communication interface is a bluetooth chip.

Fig. 3a to 3c show another example of an aerosol generating device 300 a. The device of figures 3a to 3c is arranged to receive a capsule 340 containing an aerosol-generating liquid, i.e. an aerosol-generating capsule 340. Figure 3f shows a diagram of an aerosol-generating capsule 340 suitable for such an application.

Figure 3a shows a diagram of an aerosol-generating device 300a in which an aerosol-generating capsule 340 is attached; figure 3b shows a cross-sectional view of such an arrangement. Figure 3c shows a corresponding cross-sectional view with the aerosol-generating capsule 340 removed.

The aerosol-generating device 300a includes a body portion 322 formed by a housing 326. The housing has an opening 328 for receiving an aerosol-generating capsule 340. In some examples, a removable cover (not shown) may also be included to cover the opening, which may operate in substantially the same manner as the cover described with reference to fig. 2a and 2 b. In operation, the aerosol generating capsule 340 is received in the opening and connected to the holder body 312. The aerosol-generating capsule 340 is connected to the holder body by a suitable fastening, such as a magnetic connection, a snap fit, an interference fit, a screw fit, a bayonet fit, or any other suitable type of connection. In some examples, the capsule contains a heater, and the seat is arranged to electrically connect the heater contained within the aerosol-generating capsule to a controller and other operating circuitry of the aerosol-generating device so as to provide power to the heater. In other examples, the heater is within the housing itself and is arranged to engage the aerosol generating capsule when inserted into the opening.

The operational electronics 304, including the controller 108 and other operational circuitry 110, are contained within a housing 326. The housing further comprises: a communication interface 350 (e.g., a bluetooth chip) for communicatively connecting to an external electronic device; and a battery 302 arranged to power the aerosol generating device 300 a. The button 309 is disposed on an outer surface of the housing 326; the button is operable to control the aerosol generating device 300a for purposes such as heating an aerosol-generating liquid. An indicator (e.g., a Light Emitting Diode (LED)313) is also disposed on an outer surface of the housing 326; the LED 313 may present an indication to the consumer, such as the operational status (i.e., whether the heater is engaged) and the power status of the aerosol generating device 300 a. In the example, the LED 313 surrounds the button 309.

Aerosol-generating capsule 340 has a liquid reservoir 332, aerosol channels 333, an atomizer device (atomizer) 334 and a capsule circuitry (i.e., capsule chip) 342 housed within capsule housing 318. The atomizer device 334 includes a heater coil 306 and a wicking material 338. Wicking material 338 is arranged to transfer (or wick) liquid from liquid reservoir 332 to heater 306. Heater 306 provides thermal energy to the wicked liquid and generates an aerosol. As an alternative to liquid and wicking arrangements, the aerosol-generating capsule 340 may instead contain a viscous or solid aerosol-generating material.

The aerosol generating capsule 340 has a mouthpiece portion 330 having an aerosol outlet mouthpiece opening 331. The aerosol channel 333 is arranged between the nozzle opening 331 and the atomizer device 334 such that when a consumer inhales or draws on the nozzle opening, aerosol generated by the liquid at the heater 306 is drawn out of the nozzle opening 331 through the aerosol channel for inhalation by the consumer. The air inlet 360 may be arranged in the housing 326 of the body portion 322 or in the aerosol generating capsule 340.

When received in the opening 328, a power and data connection is made between the aerosol generating capsule 340 and the control means 104 of the body 322, as described subsequently with reference to figure 3 f.

Fig. 3d and 3e show diagrams of another example of an aerosol generating device 300 b. The device 300b of fig. 3d and 3e is similar to the device 300a of fig. 3 a-3 c and includes the same features, but with the addition of a slidable cap 324.

In the example of fig. 3d and 3e, the body 322 of the aerosol generating device 300b has a slidable cap 324. The slidable cover 324 is arranged to cover a substantial part of the elongated body 322 and is slidable in the longitudinal direction of the body 322 between a first position (fig. 3d) and a second position (fig. 3 e).

The slidable cover 324 has a front panel 324a and a rear panel arranged to cover a major face of the main body 322.

In the first position (fig. 3d), the aerosol generating capsule 340 is substantially covered by the slidable cap 324, with the mouthpiece opening 331 exposed, so that a user can inhale on the device. The end 322a of the body 322 opposite the end to which the aerosol generating capsule 340 is fitted is uncovered. In this manner, the slidable cap 324 protects the aerosol-generating capsule 340. The first position as shown in figure 3d may be considered a "closed position" because the aerosol-generating capsule 340 is substantially covered by the slidable cap 324.

In the second position (fig. 3e), the aerosol generating capsule 340 is uncovered; that is, the slidable cap 324 has moved away from the aerosol-generating capsule 340 by the sliding action towards the opposite end 322a of the body 322. In a second position, which is considered an "open position", the aerosol generating capsule 340 may be inserted/removed from the holder body 312.

Figure 3f shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating capsule 340 suitable for use with the aerosol-generating

devices

300a and 300b of figures 3a to 3c and 3d to 3 e. It will be appreciated that the size of the aerosol generating capsule 340 is variable; for example, the aerosol generating capsule 340 may be more elongate (e.g. in fig. 3a and 3 b) to store a larger volume of liquid than the more compact capsule in fig. 3 e. For clarity, the liquid reservoir and aerosol channels of the aerosol-generating capsule 340 are not shown in fig. 3 f; for clarity, fig. 3f shows bladder circuitry 342 not shown in fig. 3 a-3 e. Additionally, fig. 3g shows an electrical terminal arrangement 390 of the body 312 of the body 322 of the aerosol-generating

devices

300a and 300b, which is configured for connection to an electrical terminal of the aerosol-generating capsule 340. Terminals of capsule circuitry 342 and terminals of aerosol-generating

devices

300a, 300b combine to provide an interface between capsule circuitry 342 and controller 108 of aerosol-generating

devices

300a, 300 b. The terminals in the body 322 of the

aerosol generating devices

300a and 300b may be considered as sensors or interfaces for detecting and communicating with the aerosol generating capsules 340.

Capsule circuitry 342 includes electrical terminals including

power terminals

345a and 345b, and data terminal 348. The

power terminals

345a, 345b are arranged to connect the heater to the battery via the control device 104 of the

aerosol generating device

300a, 300b through corresponding power terminals 384 in the seat 312 of the

aerosol generating device

300a, 300 b.

Capsule circuitry 342 further includes a memory 344 and a controller 346 for reading from/writing to memory 344. Data terminals 348 of capsule circuitry 342 are arranged to connect to corresponding data terminals 385 in body 322 so that controller 104 in body 322 can send and retrieve data from capsule memory 344. The data stored in the capsule memory 344 may include usage data of the aerosol-generating capsule 340, authentication data of the aerosol-generating capsule 340, the type of aerosol-generating capsule 340, the flavor of the material in the aerosol-generating capsule 340, the amount of liquid remaining in the aerosol-generating capsule 340, the date of manufacture of the aerosol-generating capsule 340, and/or expiration date data of the aerosol-generating capsule 340, as well as other suitable information. In an alternative arrangement, the aerosol-generating

devices

300a, 300b may comprise a wireless capsule interface with capsule circuitry 342 of the aerosol-generating capsule 340, which comprises a corresponding wireless capsule interface. In this manner, when the aerosol-generating capsule 340 is received in the opening 328, the aerosol-generating

devices

300a, 300b may send and retrieve data from the capsule memory 344 over a wireless connection, such as Near Field Communication (NFC) or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). In other alternatives, the aerosol generating device may read the capsule information by an optical sensor or an image detector.

The

terminals

384, 385, 387 of the main body may be configured as elongated conductive members connected at one end to the seat 312 and in turn to the control device 104. The opposite end of the elongate member forms a free end for connection to a corresponding terminal 448 of the aerosol generating capsule 340.

The terminals of the body 322 may further include a temperature determination terminal 387. These temperature determination terminals are configured as a measurement circuit configured to measure a voltage between the first and

second power terminals

345a, 345 b. This voltage can be used to accurately measure heater temperature by determining the resistance of heater 306.

In an example, components of capsule circuitry 342 are disposed on printed circuit board 343.

With respect to the example

aerosol generating devices

200, 300a, 300b in fig. 2 and 3, a considerable amount of time may elapse after manufacture of the

aerosol generating devices

200, 300a, 300b before the first use of the device by the consumer (e.g., during shipping and storage). From a consumer perspective, it is desirable that the

aerosol generating device

200, 300a, 300b have sufficient battery charge for first use so that it can be used in an 'out of the box' manner after transport and storage without having to first recharge the battery. A problem faced in the art is that if a significant amount of time has elapsed during transport and storage, the consumer may find, prior to first use, that the

aerosol generating device

200, 300a, 300b does not have sufficient battery charge to immediately use the

aerosol generating device

200, 300a, 300 b. This may be caused by residual depletion of the battery by sub-circuits operating the electronic device. In such cases, the consumer will be required to charge the battery before they can use the

aerosol generating device

200, 300a, 300 b.

To overcome this problem, the

aerosol generating device

200, 300a, 300b is placed in a low power mode by the manufacturer prior to shipping. The

aerosol generating device

200, 300a, 300b is then instructed to exit the low power mode when first used by the consumer. This low power mode maintains the battery charge during its shelf life so that the

aerosol generating device

200, 300a, 300b will have sufficient battery charge for immediate use by the consumer in an 'out of the box' manner without first charging the battery.

In the example of fig. 2 and 3, the aerosol-generating

device

200, 300a, 300b is arranged to receive a capsule that initiates a low power mode, i.e. a low power mode initiating capsule. In an example, the starting capsule is inserted at the end of the manufacturing process, before packaging and shipping.

The starting capsule is inserted into the

opening

228, 328 of the aerosol-generating

device

200, 300a, 300b in a manner similar to the cigarette-like aerosol-generating material 240 (as in the example of fig. 2) or in a manner similar to the capsule containing the aerosol-generating material 340 (as in the example of fig. 3). The controller uses sensors disposed in the

openings

228, 328 to detect the presence of the capsule and read the capsule information stored in the capsule. Based on this information, the controller determines that the capsule is a low power mode starting capsule (rather than a standard capsule containing aerosol generating material).

In response to determining that the initiating capsule has been inserted, the controller initiates a low power mode or low power state of the

aerosol generating device

200, 300a, 300 b. The starting capsule is then removed from the aerosol-generating

device

200, 300a, 300b so that the aerosol-generating

device

200, 300a, 300b can be packaged for transport and sale.

When the starting capsule is removed from the aerosol generating device, the

aerosol generating device

200, 300a, 300b remains in a low power state until a subsequent wake-up trigger is received. Maintaining a low power state when the starting capsule is removed is beneficial because the starting capsule does not need to be shipped with the

aerosol generating device

200, 300a, 300b, but can be reused in further

aerosol generating device

200, 300a, 300b manufacturing and packaging processes. This also removes any confusion on behalf of the end consumer regarding the use of the starting capsule.

In the case of an aerosol-generating device that receives a cigarette-like aerosol-generating material 240 or bulk tobacco (as in fig. 2), the starting capsule may be suitably sized to be received in the opening 228 into which the cigarette-like aerosol-generating material 240 is received.

In the case of an aerosol-generating

device

300a, 300b receiving a capsule containing aerosol-generating material 340 (as in fig. 3), the starting capsule may be sized similarly to a standard capsule containing aerosol-generating material 340 so as to be received in the opening 328 in place of the aerosol-generating capsule 340. In an example, the starting capsule is a dummy capsule that does not contain aerosol-generating material.

In aerosol-generating

devices

300a, 300b arranged to receive an aerosol-generating material capsule 340, such as the aerosol-generating material capsule described with reference to figure 3, the aerosol-generating

devices

300a, 300b may be arranged to read information stored in memory 344 of capsule circuitry 342 in such aerosol-generating material capsules as previously described using an electrical or wireless connection. Alternatively, the aerosol-generating

devices

300a, 300b may use optical sensors or image detectors to read the aerosol-generating capsule 340 information. The initiating capsule also stores information, for example by means of an in-built chip. The sensor or interface in the

aerosol generating device

300a, 300b is arranged to read this information in the same way as the aerosol generating material capsule 340. That is, the sensor or interface is of a multi-purpose type to read information stored in both the aerosol generating material capsule 340 and the starting capsule. Starting capsules for use in such aerosol-generating

devices

300a, 300b may comprise modified versions of at least one of the parameters stored at the standard aerosol-generating material capsule 340; for example, the manufacturing date may be set to a particular value (e.g. 00000) indicating that the capsule is a starting capsule rather than a standard aerosol-generating material capsule 340. The controller 108 may determine that the information stored at the initiating capsule is the information that triggered the low power mode. The

aerosol generating device

300a, 300b is programmed such that the low power mode is initiated upon determination of an indicative parameter in the received initiating capsule.

As described, the aerosol-generating

device

300a, 300b arranged to receive the capsule 340 of aerosol-generating material has a sensor or interface in the opening 328 for reading information stored at the capsule, for example by an electrical or wireless connection (such as an NFC or RFID interface) between the aerosol-generating

device

300a, 300b and the capsule, or by an image detector or optical sensor. In addition to the aerosol generating material capsule 340, the controller may also use the sensor to detect and read the starting capsule.

Alternatively or additionally, a separate dedicated sensor may be arranged in the

opening

228, 328, the specific purpose of which is to detect the initiating capsule. In particular, such an arrangement may be used in an aerosol-generating device 200 that may not otherwise include a capsule sensor or mouthpiece, such as an aerosol-generating device 200 arranged to receive a cigarette-like aerosol-generating material 240 (as described with reference to fig. 2) or bulk tobacco. Furthermore, the aerosol-generating

devices

300a, 300b arranged to receive aerosol-generating material capsules may comprise such a separate dedicated starting capsule sensor instead of, or in addition to, an aerosol-generating material capsule sensor of the multi-purpose type to detect starting capsules.

In embodiments where a separate dedicated initiation capsule sensor is used, the initiation capsule parameters may be stored as information that the

aerosol generating device

200, 300a, 300b is pre-programmed to recognize as an instruction to enter a low power mode. This does not require modification of existing parameters such as the date of manufacture (as devices arranged to receive, for example, the cigarette-like aerosol-generating material 240 or bulk tobacco may not be compatible with such information); instead, it may be a specific parameter that the sensor is specifically arranged to recognize. That is, the aerosol-generating

device

200, 300a, 300b may have sensors specifically arranged to detect the initiating capsule and low power mode instructions thereon; the sensor need not be a sensor arranged to detect and read the aerosol generating material capsule 340. Such sensors may include an electrical interface in the

opening

228, 328, such as the electrical interface between the aerosol-generating

device

200, 300a, 300b and the starting capsule described with reference to fig. 3f and 3 g. Alternatively, the sensor may comprise a wireless interface (such as an NFC or RFID interface) between the

aerosol generating device

200, 300a, 300b and the starting capsule, wherein the

aerosol generating device

200, 300a, 300b may read the NFC or RFID chip in the starting capsule when the starting capsule is received in the

opening

228, 328. In another alternative, the aerosol-generating

device

200, 300a, 300b may be arranged to determine that the capsule received in the

opening

228, 328 is a starting capsule by an image detector or optical sensor in the

opening

228, 328 reading certain parameters of the starting capsule.

Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of the operating electronics 400 of the

aerosol generating device

200, 300a, 300 b. The operating electronics 400 of the aerosol-generating device comprise a plurality of sub-circuits responsible for the operation of the various parts of the aerosol-generating device. These subcircuits may include, but are not limited to, the following: a microcontroller unit and bluetooth connection sub-circuit 402, a power switching sub-circuit 404, a serial flash sub-circuit 406 (which uses memory storage units to store puff records and event records), a Light Emitting Diode (LED) driver sub-circuit 408, a device temperature disconnector sub-circuit 410, a heater driver sub-circuit 412, a bladder connection sub-circuit 414, a button sub-circuit 416, a resistance measurement sub-circuit 418, a shelf life power latch sub-circuit 420, a 3V linear power sub-circuit 422, a 4V buck/boost power sub-circuit 424 (which is used to supply 4V to the LED even when the battery voltage is low), a battery fuel gauge sub-circuit 426, a haptic driver sub-circuit 428, and a USB battery charge sub-circuit 430, as shown in fig. 4.

In the low power mode or state, a portion of the operating electronics 400 of the

aerosol generating device

200, 300a, 300b is disabled or powered down compared to a normal operating state maintained when the

aerosol generating device

200, 300a, 300b is used periodically by a consumer. Thus, in the low power state, the operational electronics 400 use less residual power than in the full operational power state.

In more detail, when entering the low power mode, the controller (or MCU)402 disables certain subcircuits of the operational electronics 400(104, 304). The MCU recognizes the initiating capsule and executes a routine that prepares the MCU for power down. The MCU then triggers the array of logic gates to disable the 3V linear power supply subcircuit 426. This shuts down a number of sub-circuits, including the device temperature shut-off 410, the resistance measurement 418, the heater driver 412, the battery fuel gauge 426, the serial flash memory 406, and the MCU 402 itself. Further, turning off the MCU also turns off the 4V power supply to the LED driver, thereby also turning off the LED driver 408.

In more detail, when the controller identifies that a starting capsule has been received in the aerosol-generating device, the output of the shelf-life power latch sub-circuit 420 is switched off. This in turn shuts off the output of the 3V linear power supply sub-circuit 422, thereby shutting off power to the MCU 402 and the output of the power supply switching sub-circuit 404. The output of power switching subcircuit 404 powers the subcircuit including device temperature disconnector 410, resistance measurement 418 and heater driver 412; therefore, these sub-circuits are cut off by cutting off the output of the power supply switching sub-circuit 404. The output of the 3V linear power supply sub-circuit 422 powers the sub-circuits including the MCU 402, the battery fuel gauge 426 and the serial flash memory 406; thus, these sub-circuits are switched off by switching off the output of the 3V linear power supply sub-circuit 422. Any sub-circuits powered by the output of the 3V linear power supply sub-circuit 422 or the output of the power switching sub-circuit 404 are switched off. Since the MCU 402 is off, the 4V supply for the LEDs (i.e., the LED driver subcircuit 408) will also be off.

Turning off the MCU also causes the internal clock of the aerosol generating device to be turned off or paused.

The aerosol generating device is provided with an indicator arranged to indicate that the low power mode has been entered, and that the initiating capsule can be removed as the low power mode has been entered. In an example, the indicator is a visual indicator (e.g., one or more LEDs) that, when turned off, indicates that the low power mode has been entered. The LED is turned off due to the power down of the LED driver sub-circuit 408, as described with reference to fig. 3.

The indicator allows the manufacturer to know that the aerosol-generating device has entered a low power mode for transportation and storage, and that the starting capsule can be removed.

Disabling or powering down the LED(s) saves power at the battery compared to powering up a separate indicator. This further contributes to the saving of electricity for transportation and storage. Furthermore, LEDs are typically used as standards in aerosol generating devices; the standard use of making these LEDs multi-purpose to indicate entry into a low power state and to communicate information to the consumer eliminates the need to incorporate further indicators into the aerosol generating device, thereby simplifying manufacture.

The

aerosol generating device

200, 300a, 300b is configured to exit the low power mode in response to a wake-up trigger condition. This is intended to occur when the new aerosol generating device is used for the first time after it has been put into a low power mode for transportation and storage. That is, the wake-up trigger is used to instruct the consumer to exit the low-power mode a new 'out-of-box' aerosol generating device that was not previously used between transport/storage and first use. The wake-up trigger restores power to the MCU and powers up the disabled sub-circuits.

In a first example, movement of the lid or cover 224, 324 between the closed position (fig. 2a) and the open position (fig. 2b) acts as a trigger. The electrical connection may be established when the lid or cover 224, 324 is in the closed position (or open position) and may be broken when the lid or cover 224, 324 is in the open position (or closed position). That is, by detecting that the electrical connection is connected or disconnected when the cover or

lid

224, 324 moves between the two positions, the controller can determine whether the cover or

lid

224, 324 is in the open state or the closed state, and when it moves between the open state and the closed state. When the starting capsule is removed and the aerosol generating device enters a low power state, the manufacturer may close the lid or

cap

224, 324; the consumer then opens the lid or cap 224, 324 (e.g., inserts the aerosol generating material) causing power to be restored to the MCU and the aerosol generating device exits the low power mode. Opening the lid or cover instead of sliding the lid or cover open may further comprise: disconnecting a section of the aerosol-generating device so as to expose a cavity into which an aerosol-generating material capsule may be received, such as disconnecting a mouthpiece portion of the aerosol-generating device from a battery portion having an appropriate switch to detect that something has been removed.

In a second example, a wake-up trigger that may be used instead of or in addition to the first wake-up trigger may be the detection that a cable has been attached to the aerosol generating device. For example, the cable may be a charging and/or data cable, such as a USB cable (or any other suitable type of cable, such as micro-USB, USB-B, USB-C, lightning cable, etc.), which may be received in a corresponding port in the aerosol-generating device. That is, insertion of a cable into a cable port in the aerosol-generating device causes power to be restored to the MCU and the aerosol-generating device exits the low power mode.

In more detail, the opening of the covers or

lids

224, 324 and/or the insertion of the cable turns on the output of the shelf-life power latch subcircuit 420. This, in turn, turns on the 3V linear power supply sub-circuit 422. Turning on the 3V linear power supply sub-circuit 422 turns on the MCU sub-circuit 402, the battery fuel gauge sub-circuit 426 and the serial flash sub-circuit 406. Turning on the output of the 3V linear power supply sub-circuit 422 also turns on the output of the power supply switching sub-circuit 404 and, therefore, the sub-circuits powered by the power supply switching sub-circuit, including the device temperature interrupter sub-circuit 410, the resistance measurement sub-circuit 418, and the heater driver sub-circuit 412.

In this way, typical actions performed by the consumer (such as inserting a cable or opening the lid or cover 224, 324) cause the aerosol generating device to exit the low power mode. This provides a simple and easily understandable way for a user to wake up the aerosol generating device from a low power state, thereby improving usability.

As the consumer uses the aerosol generating device 520, time-stamped event data is recorded for each inhalation or puff of the generated aerosol or vapor. The event data may include puff duration, aerosol or vapor temperature, fluid and/or nicotine consumption, energy consumed per puff, capsule sequence code, etc., and the timestamp itself. In an example, knowing the liquid composition, the consumption of fluid and thus nicotine may be calculated based on the energy consumed per puff. In another example, the energy consumed per puff may be used to derive information about the airflow, and this may be particularly useful for situations where no puff sensor or pressure sensor is present on the aerosol generating device. Thus, using the energy consumed per puff as event data facilitates providing more information by storing one type of event data. The event data may also include the start and end points of the puff, the puff duration (i.e., the length of the puff), and the puff interval (i.e., the time between successive puffs). The event data may also include any further suitable metrics for analyzing consumer behavior. Aerosol-generating device 520 may be communicatively coupled to an external electronic device 524 (e.g., a smartphone), as shown in fig. 5. Aerosol-generating device 520 has a communication interface 522 whereby the aerosol-generating device can be coupled to external electronic device 524 through a communication medium between communication interface 522 of aerosol-generating device 520 and a corresponding communication interface 526 of external electronic device 524. For example, the communication medium 526 may be a wired connection (e.g., a USB connection) or a wireless connection (e.g., a Bluetooth connection). Applications associated with aerosol-generating device 520 may be loaded on external electronic device 524. The application may be used to perform actions including reviewing the smoking history of aerosol generating device 520, or providing instructions to aerosol generating device 520 via communication interface 522.

The time-stamped event information may be transferred to the external electronic device 524 through the communication interface 522. This allows the consumer to review their puff record using the graphical user interface of the associated application provided on the screen of the external electronic device 524.

Fig. 6 shows an exemplary graphical user interface 600 that presents information to a consumer that is derived from event information received by communication interface 522 from aerosol-generating device 520. Timestamping allows time and date to be assigned to a puff. The graphical interface 600 displays the consumer's smoking history. In an example, this is displayed in an hourly arrangement 602 and a daily arrangement 604, and is determined based on time stamped event information.

In the low power mode, the internal clock of aerosol generating device 520 is turned off or paused (i.e., set to an "inactive" state). In effect, entering a low power state keeps the internal clock at the time it is paused. When a wake-up trigger is detected and the device exits the low power mode, the internal clock will run again from the time it was turned off (or a default time, such as 00:00:00), which is considered the initial internal point in time (T;)_{Initial _ inside}). Thus, the time of the internal clock (i.e., the internal time) will not match the real world external time.

When aerosol-generating device 520 is connected to external electronic device 524 through communication interface 522, the controller determines the external device time (i.e., the clock time of external electronic device 524) and updates (or synchronizes) the internal clock to the external clock time (i.e., the external time) using the clock time of external device 524. In an example, the application writes to a device clock (DeviceClock) feature in the device information bluetooth service. In this way, a new 'out-of-box' aerosol generating device 520 may have its internal clock updated from internal time to external time when it is first connected to external electronic device 524.

If a user uses a new 'out-of-box' aerosol generating device 520 (i.e., an aerosol generating device 520 that has exited the low power mode but the internal clock has not been updated to an external time) before connecting to the external device 524, the aerosol generating device 520 will record a timestamp of the event data relative to the initial internal point in time. Such internal time stamp T_{Internally _ Stab}The internal time is used based on the time elapsed from the initial internal time point.

When synchronized to an external electronic device clock, the controller determines the activation time of aerosol generating device 520 as a point in time for aerosol generating device 520 to exit the low power mode based on an absolute external time rather than a relative internal time. Enabling time T_{Activation of}Is calculated as the current external time T_{Current _ outer}(i.e., the time of the external electronic device during synchronization) and the current internal time T_{Current _ inside}(i.e., the time of the internal clock relative to the initial internal time when the aerosol generating device exits the low power mode):

T_{activation of}＝T_{Current _ outer}-T_{Current _ inside}

To facilitate simple subtraction and addition of clock times, these clock times may be stored as epoch times.

Controller use enable time T_{Start-up of}And an initial internal time T_{Initial _ inside}Internal time stamp T_{Internally _ Stab}Is updated to an external time stamp (i.e., a time stamp according to an external time) T_{External _ stamp}：

T_{External _ stamp}＝(T_{Internally _ Stamper}-T_{Initial _ inside})+T_{Activation of}

Alternatively, the controller may enable time T_{Activation of}And initial internal time T_{Initial _ inside}The difference between them is added to each internal time stamp to update the internal time stamp to the external time stamp。

Figure 7 shows an exemplary flow diagram of the operational steps performed by the controller of the aerosol-generating device relating to initiating and exiting the low power mode previously described.

At step 702, the controller detects by the sensor that the capsule received in the aerosol-generating device is a starting capsule.

At step 704, the controller initiates a low power state of the aerosol-generating device in response to detecting that a starting capsule has been received in the aerosol-generating device.

At step 706, the controller disables a portion of the operating electronics of the aerosol generating device when initiating the low power state.

Optionally, at step 708, the controller indicates, by an indicator, that the aerosol generating device has entered a low power state.

Optionally, at step 710, the controller remains in a low power state when the starting capsule is removed from the aerosol generating device.

Figure 8 shows an example flow diagram of the operational steps performed by the controller of the aerosol generating device involving the timestamp updating process previously described.

Optionally, at step 802, the controller starts an internal clock from an initial internal point in time in response to determining that the aerosol generating device has exited the low power state.

At step 804, the controller records one or more events and applies one or more internal timestamps to the one or more events, respectively, the one or more initial timestamps being relative to an initial internal point in time.

At step 806, the controller receives the current external time point through the communication interface.

At step 808, the controller updates the internal clock from a current internal point in time relative to the initial internal point in time to a current external point in time.

Optionally, at step 810, the controller determines an activation time point, wherein the activation time point is determined as a difference between the current external time point and the current internal time point.

At step 812, the controller adjusts the one or more internal timestamps to one or more external timestamps, respectively, based on a difference between the current internal point in time and the current external point in time.

In addition to the power savings provided by the low power mode for transportation and storage, further power savings may be achieved between consumer uses by putting the aerosol generating device into a standby mode. Between uses, the lid or cover 224, 324 may be disposed in a closed position when the user is not using the aerosol generating device. With a suitable sensor (such as that previously described with reference to the wake-up trigger), the controller can determine that the lid or cover 224, 324 is in the closed position. When it is determined that the lid or cover 224, 324 is in the closed position, the controller may cause the aerosol generating device to enter a standby mode to conserve power. Alternatively or additionally, the controller may cause the aerosol generating device to enter a standby mode after determining that the lid or cover 224, 324 has been left in the open position for an amount of time that exceeds a preset threshold. The preset threshold may be configured in an application at the external electronic device and indicated to the aerosol generating device using the communication interface.

The standby mode involves suspending operation of at least some of the sub-circuits of the electronics that are not necessary for operation of the aerosol generating device when the aerosol generating device is not in use. This maintains the battery charge. In operation, a consumer opens the lid or

cap

224, 324 to insert the aerosol generating material. The controller determines that the lid or cover 224, 324 has been opened and causes the aerosol generating device to exit the standby mode by energising the suspended sub-circuit. In more detail, in the standby mode, the output of the power switching sub-circuit 404 is turned off, thereby turning off the device temperature interrupter sub-circuit 410, the resistance measurement sub-circuit 418, and the heater driver sub-circuit 412.

The process steps described herein as being performed by the master control unit or controller may be stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium or storage device associated with the master control unit. Computer readable media may include both non-volatile media and volatile media. Volatile media may include semiconductor memory, dynamic memory, and the like. Non-volatile media may include optical and magnetic disks, and so forth.

The skilled person will readily appreciate that the foregoing embodiments in the foregoing description are not limiting; the features of each embodiment may be combined as appropriate in other embodiments.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating device arranged to receive an aerosol-generating material, the aerosol-generating device comprising:

a sensor arranged to detect a characteristic of a capsule received in an aerosol-generating device; and

a controller configured to:

detecting that a capsule received in the aerosol-generating device is a low-power state-initiating capsule based on the characteristic detected by the sensor; and

2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to disable a portion of operating electronics of the aerosol generating device when the low power state is initiated.

3. The aerosol generating device of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to disable at least one of a microcontroller unit, a device temperature disconnector sub-circuit, a resistance measurement sub-circuit, a heater driver sub-circuit, a serial flash sub-circuit, or a battery gauge sub-circuit when the portion of the operating electronics is disabled.

4. The aerosol generating device of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to send a trigger to the array of logic gates of the operational electronics such that the array of logic gates disables supply of power to the portion of the operational electronics to be disabled.

5. The aerosol generating device of any preceding claim, wherein the controller is further configured to maintain the low power state when the starting capsule is removed from the aerosol generating device.

6. The aerosol generating device of any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol generating device further comprises an indicator, and the controller is further configured to indicate by the indicator that the aerosol generating device has entered the low power state.

7. The aerosol generating device of claim 6, wherein the indicator comprises one or more light emitting diodes.

8. The aerosol generating device of claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to disable the one or more light emitting diodes to indicate that the aerosol generating device has entered the low power state.

9. The aerosol generating device of any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol generating device is further arranged to detect a wake trigger condition, and wherein the aerosol generating device is configured to exit the low power state in response to the wake trigger condition.

10. The aerosol generating device of claim 9, wherein the wake trigger condition comprises a cable attached to the aerosol generating device.

11. An aerosol generating device according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the aerosol generating device further comprises an openable lid, and the wake-up trigger condition comprises the openable lid moving between a closed position and an open position.

12. The aerosol generating device of any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol generating device further comprises an internal clock, and the controller is configured to set the internal clock to a non-operational state when initiating the low power state.

13. The aerosol generating device of any preceding claim, wherein the controller is further configured to detect and read a characteristic by the sensor through a communication chip in the received capsule.

14. The aerosol generating device of any preceding claim, wherein the sensor comprises an electrical terminal configured to connect to a corresponding terminal in the initiating capsule, the electrical terminal configured to read information stored in a memory in the initiating capsule, and wherein the controller is configured to determine that the information corresponds to a characteristic of the initiating capsule.

15. The aerosol generating device of any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol generating device is configured to be set to the low power state for transportation and/or storage.

16. The aerosol generating device of any preceding claim, wherein in the low power state a portion of the operating electronics of the aerosol generating device is disabled or powered down compared to a normal operating state maintained when the aerosol generating device is used periodically by a consumer.

17. A method of conserving energy in an aerosol generating device, the method comprising:

detecting that a low power starting capsule has been received in the aerosol-generating device based on the characteristic detected by the sensor, wherein the sensor is arranged to detect a characteristic of a capsule received in the aerosol-generating device; and

18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of: